Obituaries Australia

Frank Austin, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 December 1914

The death occurred last month of a very well-known Victorian pastoralist in the person of Mr. Frank Austin, of Avalon, near Geelong. Mr. Austin was in the prime of life, being fifty-five years of age, and his death will be deeply regretted. He was a son of the late Mr. James Austin, second mayor of Geelong, and was educated at Clifton College, England. When his schooldays were over he came to settle in Victoria, taking over the management of Avalon, and, after leasing the property for three years, purchased it in 1881. He not only acquired an active interest in the management of the estate, but also became prominent in public movements initiated for the welfare of the wool-growing industry, and during the latter years of his life proved a pillar of support to the Australian Sheepbreeders' Association.

The late Mr. Austin also took a deep interest in the horse-breeding industry. He owned some noted racehorses, and imported considerable Arab blood into the State. He was president of the Geelong Racing Club, and at one time held the same office in connection with the Geelong Agricultural Society. Like his father, he was always interested in all local movements, and was always ready to lend a helping hand and a guiding counsel when either was needed. He was one of the pioneers of the closer settlement movement, much of the Avalon Estate being dotted with prosperous farms.

In 1887 the late Mr. Austin married the daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Edward Bostock, and leaves two sons and two daughters.